Latter-day Saint Life

Former ‘Bachelor’ couple, Tokyo Olympian, and others praise the newly renovated Mesa temple

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After being closed for more than three years for renovation, the Mesa Arizona Temple is hosting a 5-week open house for public prior to its official dedication in December.

► You may also like: Mesa Arizona Temple renovations complete; open house begins this week

Here’s what local celebrities, politicians, residents are saying about the newly remodeled temple:

Former “Bachelor” Arie Luyendyk

“I’ve always been curious [about] the temple so it was such an amazing experience to walk through and get more understanding of the LDS faith.”
—Former ‘Bachelor’ Arie Luyendyk Jr posted on his Instagram stories on October 15, 2021.

See more photos his wife, Lauren, posted from the temple grounds at Deseret News.


Olympic silver medalist MyKayla Skinner and singer/songwriter Evie Clair

“This place is beautiful. Come feel the Spirit. Feel peace. Feel the love. If you want to feel that, come here, because I know that you will.
—Tokyo 2020 silver medalist MyKayla Skinner

“No matter who comes here, there will be something for them to love.”
—Singer/songwriter Evie Clair


Local Politicans

“The renovation is just incredible. The beauty, the craftsmanship, the materials, the feeling of peace and sacredness that you feel as you walk through the temple. It was my real privilege to be here today.”
—Arizona Governor Doug Ducey


“We’re very fortunate as a city that the Church was willing to come and invest in our community, create something that’s going to last generations—and it’s top quality.”
—Mesa Arizona Mayor John Giles


Local Residents

“I look forward to [the rededication]. I hope I get to go. The feeling you get in there [is] probably the same feeling you get when you go to heaven.”
—Arizona resident Larry Frost, age 104, told Deseret News. Frost was 10 years old when he attended the temple’s first dedication in 1927.


“My husband, Michael, and I have the opportunity to be greeters during the Open House for the Mesa Temple. We are looking forward to visiting with all those that come to see the beauty that is within. I know inside we will find awe-inspiring architecture, beautiful artwork, elegant furniture, and incredible attention to detail. More important, though, is what takes place inside. We are brought closer to God, we are sealed to our families, we make covenants, we receive blessings, we gain perspective, we feel peace, and we receive answers. It is the Lord’s house and His spirit dwells there.”
—Kim Favreau on Instagram


“It was a beautiful sunny day to tour the Mesa Arizona Temple. There are many new pieces of artwork showcasing all of the various races of people who live in Arizona and desert landscape pieces as well. My father was baptized in the baptismal font as an 8 year old boy because 77 years ago they didn’t have a place to get baptized where he attended church. It was the first time he had returned to see it.”
—Letyourlightsewshine on Instagram


“The Mesa Temple was already beautiful, but the recent renovations are amazing. The artwork of the Lord’s house is breathtaking.”
—Bishop Decker on Instagram


“We went on a tour of the newly renovated Mesa Arizona Temple. The architecture and artwork is beautiful! I felt the love that our Savior has for us while I walked inside.”
—Julie Plotz on Instagram


The Mesa Arizona Temple open house is free to the public and will run through Saturday, November 20, 2021, except for Sundays. To make a reservation, visit mesatemple.org/open-house.

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